AU2017204090A1 - An apparatus and system for investigating properties of substrates and/or water bodies and a method of using same - Google Patents

Abstract

303156AU/47 JM The invention is an apparatus, system and method for investigating the properties of a substrate or water body of interest and in particular, the presence or absence of chemicals, while the apparatus is in situ. One important aspect of the invention is the use of a sample preparation unit which in one exemplary embodiment lends itself to a modular testing and measurement apparatus. It also provides a means of accurately measuring the volumes of a collected sample and the reagent to be reacted with that sample as part of the preparation of the sample. Another important, and separate aspect, of the invention is the use of reagents, such as chemical compounds or bioluminescent organisms. The reagents affect one or more light properties of the sample, such as luminosity or colour, the extent of which is indicative of the presence or absence of the chemical or chemicals of interest. 118 116 108 104a - CPU A 104b nl f 106 114 104B - 10 118 116 108 104a rip 106b 114 1048 Ii110 =

Description

AN APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR INVESTIGATING PROPERTIES OF SUBSTRATES AND/OR WATER BODIES AND A METHOD OF USING SAME

STATEMENT OF CORRESPONDING APPLICATIONS

This application is based on the provisional specification filed in relation to New Zealand Patent Application No. 721302, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to an apparatus and method for the investigation of the properties of substrates and/or water bodies. The invention has particular application to the in situ identification of the presence or absence of chemicals in soils or water bodies.

BACKGROUND ART

When investigating the properties of substrates or water bodies, it is often desirable to measure certain parameters, such as the presence or absence of certain chemicals. This may affect the management or proposed use of the substrate or water body of concern.

For example, when assessing the properties of soils used for pasture, it is useful to determine the relative abundance of available nutrients. For a farmer, this can affect how much fertiliser should be applied to a particular area of pasture.

Runoff from that same pasture may also be of concern. If nutrient heavy runoff enters waterways, this can be detrimental to the ecology of that waterway. High input of nutrients can encourage growth of macrophytes within the waterway that affect water quality.

As another example, there is an increasing number of environmental regulations that require monitoring of the presence or absence of chemicals of concern. This can have a bearing on whether proposed changes in uses of the land or water body are permitted.

However, the accuracy of such measurements is highly dependent on the probes that are available. In particular, measurement of soil parameters presents issues as probes that are used in water are not suitable for testing of soils.

Soils are particularly problematic when sampling, due to the variable physical characteristics which affect the detection of the desired parameters. For example, soil types are greatly variable; a clay substrate may have its own peculiar profile when compared to pasture soil. The sensitivity of the probes to certain chemicals within the soil or water may also vary.

Testing for the presence or absence of certain chemicals can require multiple trips to the site of interest in order to collect samples for later analysis. Although useful when assessing changes over a period of time, this approach is time intensive, particularly when the site is relatively remote and inaccessible.

It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

All references, including any patents or patent applications that may be cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference. No admission is made that any such reference constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinency of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications may be referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents form part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or in any other country.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to".

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for investigating one or more properties of a substrate and/or a water body, wherein the apparatus includes: a sample collector for collecting a sample from the substrate or water body being investigated; a sample preparation unit; and an analysis unit; characterised in that the sample preparation unit includes: a metering unit; and a reservoir for a reagent and/or a collected sample, wherein the reservoir includes: an inlet for the collected sample and/or reagent; a valve defining a chamber to receive the reagent and/or the collected sample, wherein the valve is operable to transfer the reagent and/or collected sample from the reservoir to the metering unit back to the reservoir, and wherein the reservoir includes an outlet to the analysis unit.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a sample preparation unit for an apparatus for investigating one or more properties of a substrate and/or a water body, wherein the sample preparation unit includes: a metering unit; and a reservoir for the reagent and/or the collected sample, wherein the reservoir includes: an inlet for a collected sample and/or reagent; a valve defining a chamber to receive the reagent and/or the collected sample, wherein the valve is operable to transfer the reagent and/or collected sample from the reservoir to the metering unit back to the reservoir, and wherein the reservoir includes an outlet to an analysis unit.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using the apparatus for investigating one or more properties of substrate and/or a water body as described above, wherein the method includes the steps of: a) collecting a sample from the substrate or water body; b) transferring the sample to the chamber of the reservoir via an inlet; c) measuring the volume of the sample by transferring it to the metering unit; and d) transferring the sample to the analysis unit via the outlet.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using the apparatus for investigating one or more properties of substrate and/or a water body as described above, wherein the method includes the steps of: a) transferring a reagent to the chamber of the reservoir via an inlet; b) measuring the volume of the reagent by transferring it to the metering unit; and c) transferring the reagent to the analysis unit via the outlet.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for investigating one or more properties of a substrate and/or a water body, wherein the apparatus includes: a sample collector for collecting a sample from the substrate or water body being investigated; a sample preparation unit; and an analysis unit; characterised in that the sample preparation unit includes a reservoir for a reagent and a collected sample, wherein the reservoir includes an outlet to the analysis unit, wherein the analysis unit includes a measurement chamber, wherein the measurement chamber includes light detection means.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of using the apparatus for investigating one or more properties of substrate and/or a water body as described above, wherein the method includes the steps of: a) collecting a sample from the substrate or water body; b) mixing the sample with a reagent; and characterised by the additional step of: c) measuring one or more of the light properties of the sample, wherein the light properties of the sample is affected by the presence or absence of a particular chemical of interest.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for investigating one or more properties of substrate and/or a water body, wherein the system includes: a sample collector for collecting a sample from the substrate or water body being investigated; an analysis unit including a measurement chamber, wherein the measurement chamber includes light detection means; a sample preparation unit including a reservoir for a reagent and a collected sample, wherein the reservoir includes an outlet to the measurement chamber of the analysis unit; at least one processor-readable medium storing processor-readable instructions; and a processor coupled to the at least one processor-readable medium, the processor being operable execute the instructions to: a) activate the sample collector to collect a sample from the substrate or water body; b) mixing the sample with a reagent; c) measuring one or more of the light properties of the sample, wherein the light properties of the sample is affected by the presence or absence of a particular chemical of interest.

The invention is an apparatus, system and method for investigating the properties of a substrate or water body of interest and in particular, the presence or absence of chemicals, while the apparatus is in situ. One important aspect of the invention is the use of a sample preparation unit which in one exemplary embodiment lends itself to a modular testing and measurement apparatus. It also provides a means of accurately measuring the volumes of a collected sample and the reagent to be reacted with that sample as part of the preparation of the sample.

Another important, and separate aspect, of the invention is the use of reagents, such as chemical compounds or bioluminescent organisms. The reagents affect one or more light properties of the sample, such as luminosity or colour, the extent of which is indicative of the presence or absence of the chemical or chemicals of interest.

It will be appreciated that the chemical or chemicals of interest will vary according to the requirements of the user.

For example, it may be that the invention is being used to sample waterways that may be contaminated by the presence of toxic chemicals. Detection of such chemicals, and their relative concentrations, may allow identification of the presence and source of the pollution. Appropriate remedies to prevent or reduce same may then be implemented.

Alternatively, the invention may be used to determine the presence and concentration of certain nutrients in pasture soil. This in turn may determine the quantity and composition of fertiliser to be applied to the soil to maximise pasture growth. For example, if soil is found to be lacking in nitrogen, then a fertiliser with a high nitrogen content may be applied to compensate for this inadequacy.

The invention may also be used to help monitor compliance with regulatory requirements across a wide range of sectors including but not limited to, food manufacturing, disposal of wastes and so forth. Persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate other applications and industries for which detection of the presence and/or relative concentrations of chemicals with the present invention may be used.

The end use of the present invention may ultimately determine what chemicals need to be identified, depending on the use of the substrate or water body of concern.

Reference shall now be made throughout the remainder of the specification to the invention being used with soil. However, this is by way of example and it should be understood that this is not meant to be limiting and the use of the invention with water bodies or other substrate types is envisaged by the applicant.

The invention should be understood to include a sample collector, one or more sample preparation units, and an analysis unit, the interaction between which is controlled through the use of an operating means in the form of a computer, central processing unit (CPU) or programmable logic controller (PLC).

These components shall now be described.

Sample Collector

The sample collector should be understood to be a means by which a sample is taken from the water body or substrate which is being investigated.

For ease of reference, the sample collector shall now be referred to as the sampler.

It will be appreciated that the sampler may take a variety of configurations depending on the substrate or water body with which the invention is to be used.

In one exemplary embodiment, the sampler is intended to collect soil specimens and may be configured to extract water, which may contain chemicals of interest, from the collected soil using conventional extraction techniques.

In another exemplary embodiment, in which the sampler is intended to collect samples from bodies of water such as lakes, rivers or streams, this may be achieved through the use of submersible pumps.

However, this is not meant to be limiting and it is envisaged that other configurations may be employed when sampling flowing or stored waters or liquids. For example, when sampling pipe works or pipe systems of food processing plants or the like, the sampler may be integrated or communicative with portals from said pipe works or pipe systems.

However, these embodiments of the sampler are not meant to be limiting and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that other sampler configurations will be readily envisaged depending on availability of equipment and the substrate or water bodies being assessed with the present invention.

Sample Preparation Unit

The sample preparation unit should be understood to be an apparatus to which the collected sample is retrieved and by which an appropriate amount of reagent to be mixed with the collected sample is measured. In some embodiments of the invention, this may be done by the same sample preparation unit but in other exemplary embodiments of the invention that are provided with more than one sample preparation unit, one unit retrieves and prepares the collected sample while at least one other unit retrieves and prepares the required amount of reagent to be reacted with the collected sample.

It will be appreciated that this means that the sampler is communicative with the sample preparation unit in order to transfer the collected sample for preparation. Persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate that this may be achieved using pumps, vacuums, conduits and so forth. The sample preparation unit should be understood to include a reservoir to receive the reagent and/or collected sample.

The reagent may be stored in the invention in a suitable vessel until it is required for use. This vessel may be integrated with the sample preparation unit or be located within the analysis unit or elsewhere.

It will be appreciated that this means that the reservoir includes inlets for conduits to either the source of the reagent or the sampler. In some embodiments, the reservoir includes inlets for both the source of the reagent and the sampler. These conduits are controlled through the use of mechanisms such as valves to ensure control of the delivery of the collected sample and/or the appropriate amount of reagent to be mixed with the collected sample.

As noted above, in an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the reagent and the collected sample may enter the reservoir via the inlet. Alternatively, separate inlets and conduits for each may be provided. Regardless, in each case, gate valves, one-way valves or another mechanism readily apparent to a person skilled in the art control the inlets into the reservoir to ensure to ensure the contents of the reservoir cannot be reversed back up to their respective source.

The reservoir also includes an outlet to allow the collected sample and/or reagent to be transferred to the measurement chamber. Like the inlets, to prevent return of the collected sample and/or reagent from the measurement chamber, this is controlled by a gate valve, one-way valve, or another mechanism readily apparent to a person skilled in the art.

The reservoir includes at least one valve. The valve should be understood to be substantially in the form of a substantially flat circular disc, with its perimeter sealing the walls of the reservoir. It will be appreciated that this means that the reservoir itself has a cross-sectional profile corresponding to that of the valve. In exemplary embodiments, the disc has a circular cross-section but this is not meant to be limiting. The valve may alternatively be in the form of a square or triangular-shaped disc but it will be appreciated that the reservoir, through which the valve moves, will need to have a complementary cross-sectional profile.

In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the valve is fixed to a control stem passing through the reservoir. The control stem is operable via a stepper motor such that the valve moves up and down through the reservoir. However, arrangements, other than a stepper motor, to allow the valve to be moveable through the reservoir may be readily envisaged by persons skilled in the art.

In this embodiment, the valve defines at least one chamber within the reservoir; between the upper side of the valve and the top of the reservoir or between the lower side of the valve and the bottom of the reservoir.

In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the reservoir has a first valve and a second valve, both spatially secured to the control stem. These valves shall be referred to as the upper and lower valves respectively. These valves define at least two chambers within the reservoir; one between the upper and lower valves and, depending on the movement of the control stem, the other between the upper valve and the top of the reservoir or between the lower valve and the bottom of the reservoir.

The sample preparation unit also includes a metering unit to meter the amount of the collected sample and/or the reagent required for mixing with the sample.

It will be appreciated that depending on the calibration of the measuring equipment that is used to analyse the collected sample, a specific ratio of reagent may be required for a collected sample of a specific volume. Thus knowing the volume of the collected sample and having relatively strict control of the amount of reagent to be mixed with the collected sample is important.

The reservoir includes a conduit to the metering unit. As with the other inlets and outlets of the reservoir, the opening to the conduit is controlled by a gate valve, one-way valve, or another mechanism readily apparent to a person skilled in the art.

The placement of the inlets for the collected sample and/or the reagent, as well as the placement of the conduit to the metering unit and the outlet from the reservoir relative to the valves, are important.

The inlet for the collected sample and/or the reagent together with the conduit to the metering unit are arranged such that when the valves are in a first position, the chamber defined by the upper and lower valves receives the collected sample and/or reagent. The control stem is then actuated to move the valves, and therefore the chamber defined by the upper and lower valves, to a second position where the chamber is communicative with the conduit to the metering means whereupon the gate valves or one-way valves mentioned above are opened upon receiving appropriate instructions from the operating means.

Thus, the collected sample or reagent is delivered into the chamber of the reservoir and upon movement of the chamber to a position where it is communicative with the metering unit, is drawn into the metering unit. This may be achieved through the use of plungers or the like being withdrawn through the metering unit to create a negative pressure therein.

The metering unit has a chamber of a known volume, determined by the height and width of the chamber. Thus, the volume of the collected sample may be calculated and this information can be sent to the operating means which then determines the amount of reagent that will be required to be mixed with the sample. This information is communicated to the sample preparation unit (which in some embodiments may be the one that has just processed the collected sample or in exemplary embodiments is an adjacent sample preparation unit). When the metering unit processes the reagent, it measures the required volume to be mixed with the collected sample.

It should be appreciated that there is no flow path from the metering unit and the outlet from the reservoir to the measurement chamber of the analysis unit. Therefore, the operating means sends instructions to the gate valve controlling the outlet of the reservoir. This is opened to discharge the collected sample or reagent to the measurement chamber once they have been metered. Then the process is repeated, this time for the reagent.

The inlet for the reagent (which may the same as that for the collected sample or may be a separate inlet altogether) and the conduit to the metering unit are arranged such that when the valves are in the appropriate position, a fluid path defined there between when the means (the gate valves or one-way valves mentioned above) controlling the inlet and conduit are opened upon receiving appropriate instructions.

Thus, the reagent can be delivered into the chamber of the reservoir and from there drawn into the metering unit to be measured. This determines the exact amount of reagent.

It should be appreciated that in some embodiments of the invention in which the same sample preparation unit processes both the collected sample and the reagent, while the valves of the reservoir is in the second position, this defines a chamber above the upper valve into which the reagent may enter. Depending on the placement of the valves and the conduit to the metering unit, the control stem could be operated to allow the collected sample to be discharged from the reservoir once it has been metered while at the same time moving the chamber containing the reagent into a position where it could be drawn into the metering unit.

The sample preparation unit may include a means to transfer the reagent or collected sample from the metering unit to the reservoir and then onto the analysis unit. This may be through the use of a plunger or the like, operable via motors, to displace the chamber of the metering unit. The lower valve on the valve stem may also act like a plunger upon the reservoir so that as the collected sample or reagent exits the metering unit, it is pressurised such that it exits the reservoir via the outlet.

For some embodiments, the reagent and collected sample may be transferred separately, in which case they are mixed in the measurement chamber of the analysis unit.

However, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments of the invention where the sample preparation unit handles both the collected sample and reagent, the reservoir may include conduits and mixing means to allow the collected sample to be mixed with the reagent prior to being transferred to the analysis unit.

The mixing means could be in the form of agitators utilising blades or fins or the like extending from the walls of the reservoir. The valves may alternatively be used, by moving them up and down the reservoir, as a means of agitating the sample and reagent to ensure homogeneity of the mixed sample. Persons skilled in the art will readily identify other mixing means suitable for use with the invention.

However, it will be appreciated that the means allowing entry and exit from the reservoir will need to be closed to prevent contamination of the conduits leading to the sampler and the source of the reagent respectively. By incorporating mixing means in the reservoir of these embodiments of the invention, this allows the collected sample to be mixed with the reagent prior to being transferred to the measurement chamber of the analysis unit via the outlet of the reservoir.

In the following discussion of the reagent and analysis unit in which reference is made to the analysis of the light properties of the sample, reference is made to the sample preparation unit described herein. However, it should be appreciated that the sample preparation unit is not limited to use in the analysis of the light properties of samples. The sample preparation unit may be used in any analytical technique which requires a specific quantity of sample and/or reagent to be metered prior to analysis being performed.

Reagent

The reagent should be understood to be a liquid that when mixed with the collected sample affects its light properties. Light properties should be understood to include, but not be limited to, luminous intensity, which shall now be referred to as luminosity and which is measured in millicandela (mcd) and/or colour wavelength, measured in nanometres (nm).

This means that one or both of the luminosity or colour wavelength of the sample is affected when the reagent is mixed with it. It will be appreciated that colour of the sample is determined by the wavelength of the light, while its intensity is determined by its luminosity.

It will also be appreciated that the reagent used in the present invention is determined by the chemical of interest in the collected sample.

In one exemplary embodiment, the property of interest may be the presence of nitrates in water which may be indicated by light in the yellow wavelength of the colour spectrum.

In this embodiment, the reagent may be a mixture of salicylic acid and sodium hydroxide. An alternative reagent suitable for use in detecting the presence of nitrates is a solution of sulphuric acid and phenol.

Following the addition of the reagent to the sample, its colour change is then analysed; if the wavelength of the light is in the order of 615 to 660 nm, then this indicates the presence of nitrates.

In another exemplary embodiment, the property of interest may be the presence of phosphates in soil which may be indicated by light in the blue/violet wavelength of the colour spectrum. In this embodiment, the reagent is a solution of sodium metabisulphate, metol, sulphuric acid and deionized water.

Once the reagent is added, the colour change in the sample is then analysed; if the wavelength of the light is in the order of 410 to 465 nm, then this indicates the presence of phosphates in the sample.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the reagent may include bioluminescent organisms. In this embodiment, it will be appreciated that it is the luminosity of the mixed sample that is being measured. Generally, the presence of chemicals in the sample will affect the bioluminescent organisms, either by killing them or at least preventing them from becoming bioluminescent or by stimulating them to become bioluminescent.

However, it will also be appreciated that the bioluminescent organisms may also emit light in wavelengths that fall in the visible spectrum of light. Thus, the wavelength of the emitted light may also be measured.

As the invention is preferably intended to be used in situ, the reservoir needs to be able sustain the bioluminescent organisms for a period of time.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the sample preparation unit may include a chamber that includes a further reagent that activates the luminosity of the species of organism with which the invention is to be used. This may need to be introduced into the reservoir, or the mixing chamber, prior to the mixing of the bioluminescent organisms with the sample.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the reagent may include a medium that is conducive to the cultivation and life support of the bioluminescent organisms with which the invention is to be used. The medium within the reservoir may depend on the species of organism; for example, it may be a blend of oxygen and another gas. Alternatively, it may be a liquid medium such as saline.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the reagent may activate bioluminescent organisms that are already present in the sample. Thus the reservoir does not contain bioluminescent organisms; it contains a reagent that activates (or deactivates as the case may be) these organisms.

It will be recognised that the selection of an appropriate reagent is important to the invention. The reagent needs to react appropriately with the selected chemical of interest.

For example, when the reagent contains bioluminescent organisms, it will be readily appreciated that the luminosity of the selected organisms needs to be responsive to the selected chemical of interest. The responsiveness may be in the form of increased luminosity but in preferred embodiments of the invention, the responsiveness may be loss of luminosity due to the death of the organism.

The selected organism may be any suitable organism which has a bioluminescent properties. The organism may be a protozoan, animal or plant species. For example, it may be a small invertebrate such as a species of amphipod. However, it will be appreciated that this means that the sample preparation unit may need to include a suitable life support system to allow the use of the invention for a prolonged period of time while in situ.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the selected organism is a microorganism such as a species of bacteria, fungi or protists. It will be appreciated that these types of organisms will typically require minimal life support systems other than a culture medium.

Examples of suitable bioluminescent microorganisms include: • Vibrio harveyi, which is found in seawater and sediments and emits light in a wavelength corresponding to blue in the colour spectrum; • Vibrio phosphoreum, is a bacterium that lives in symbiosis with marine organisms and emits light in a wavelength corresponding to blue/green in the colour spectrum; • Pyrocystis lunula, which is found in seawater and oligotrophic waters, and emits light in a wavelength corresponding to blue in the colour spectrum.

However, it should be understood that this list of examples of bioluminescent microorganisms is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting.

Analysis Unit

The analysis unit should be understood to be the component of the invention that measures the wavelength of the colour of the mixed sample and/or the presence or extent its luminosity. It should be appreciated that the sample preparation unit described above may be used independently of this embodiment of the analysis unit.

The analysis unit includes a measurement chamber. It will be appreciated that the analysis unit is configured such that its internal architecture has conduits linking the measurement chamber to the reservoir of the sample preparation unit (or units when the invention is provided with a plurality of sample preparation units). This allows the reagent and collected sample to be transferred from the sample preparation units via the outlet of the reservoir to the measurement chamber for analysis.

The measurement chamber should be understood to include a light detection means to detect the light properties of the mixed sample.

For example, the measurement chamber may include light sensors such as the TCS34725FN colour sensor, manufactured by Austria Micro Systems™, which measure the luminosity and/or wavelength of the mixed sample following its mixing with the reagent of choice.

Flowever, this is not meant to be limiting and persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate that other light detection means may be readily employed. For example, the light detection means may be sensors configured to detect light emitted in specific wavelengths.

In embodiments of the invention in which the colour of the mixed sample is assessed to determine the presence of chemicals of interest, this will require a means of illumination. In these embodiments, the measurement chamber should be understood to include light emitting means arranged to direct light through the chamber and the mixed sample therein.

For example, the measurement chamber may include light emitting diodes such as the PLCC4 3-in-l SMD LEDCLV1A-FKB, manufactured by CREE™. However, this is not meant to be limiting and persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate that other light emitting means may be readily employed.

It should be noted that when assessing the luminosity of a mixed sample, no light emitting means is required. The reagent reacts with the chemicals in the sample to cause luminescence which is what is measured with the light detection means.

In exemplary embodiments, both light detection means and light emitting means are provided. This provides the user of the invention with the functionality to measure both the wavelength of the light and its intensity.

In these exemplary embodiments of the invention, the light emitting means and the light detection means are arranged to face each other across the measurement chamber. Thus, the emitted light is directed onto the light detection means.

There may be more than one light emitting means and light detection means provided for the measurement chamber. This can provide redundancy and quality control measures if necessary.

In some embodiments of the invention, the measurement chamber may include mixing means to agitate the sample and ensure homogeneity with the reagent. This may also be necessary if heat is generated as a result of the reaction of the reagent with the sample. The mixed sample may require time for it to cool down before it can be measured.

The measurement chamber is provided with an outlet to allow the mixed sample to be drained once the necessary measurements have been completed. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that this will be straightforward to achieve using plugs or valves that are operated by stepper motors or the like.

The mixed sample may be drained directly to the substrate, depending on the relatively toxicity of the mixed sample, i.e. the mixed sample is inert, or directed towards a waste chamber for storage until the invention is retrieved or serviced.

The analysis unit may also include a reservoir of cleaning agent, such as distilled water, saline, or another suitable medium, to clean the measurement chamber. It will be appreciated that this may be necessary to avoid contamination in between the measurement of separate samples.

Other Components

As previously mentioned above, the invention may include an operating means in the form of a computer, CPU, or PLC. This operating means controls the steps of the sampling process, the opening/closing of relevant valves allowing entry and exit of the collected sample and reagent, as well as the preparation, measurement and discharge of the collected sample. This may require the interaction with sensing components such as volume sensors or the like.

The operating means may include appropriate instructions to operate the various components of the invention at desired times. For example, the invention may be programmed to collect a sample and measure same at periodic intervals. However, there is scope for this to be manipulated depending on the requirements of the user, as shall be discussed below.

It will be appreciated that the operating means is communicative with the sampler, each sample preparation unit within the invention, and the analysis unit, as well as the other components discussed below.

In exemplary embodiments, the sampler, the sample preparation unit (or units as the case may be) and the analysis unit are located within a housing, along with the operating means, ancillary equipment such as vessels for the reagent and additional components discussed below.

The housing may be any structure suitably configured to receive the components of the invention. Preferably, the housing is formed from a suitable robust material such as stainless steel, coated aluminium or the like. Persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate other materials which may be used to construct the housing.

In exemplary embodiments, the housing is dimensioned and configured to receive a plurality of sample preparation units.

It will be appreciated that in these embodiments, it is preferable that the sample preparation units are formed as modular units. This makes it easier to install and replace sample preparation units while in situ. The user simply removes one sample preparation unit and replaces it with another.

The use of modular units is also advantageous in that it allows different reagents to be used within the invention, and this means that potentially different chemicals may be analysed. For example, one unit may be set up for use with bioluminescent organisms as the reagent while another may use a chemical based reagent-instead. Alternatively, when the supply of reagent within a particular sample preparation unit is exhausted, a fresh supply can be sourced from an adjacent sample preparation unit.

Alternatively, one sample preparation unit may deal solely with the collected sample by metering it and then transferring it to the measurement chamber of the analysis unit. Another sample preparation unit will deal solely with the reagent, metering it in accordance to the amount required to perform the desired reaction with the collected sample, and then transferring the reagent to the measurement chamber of the analysis unit where it will be mixed with the collected sample and then analysed.

In an embodiment with four sample preparation units, this means one deals only with the collected sample, while the other three deal with the reagents. As noted above, each of these three sample preparation units may be dealing with three separate types of agents, potentially allowing multiple chemicals of interest to be analysed by the analysis unit in situ.

This means that the invention is effectively a standalone unit with both sampling and analysis functionality while in situ. It is not necessary to take samples collected on site and transport them to a laboratory for analysis, potentially using several different techniques which require more than one type of reagent. The invention can simply be left on site and sampling and analysis performed remotely, even when the user is assessing more than one chemical of interest. However, depending on the reagent used, some regular maintenance may be required. For example, when the reagent contains species of bioluminescent organisms with a limited lifespan, these may need to have the reservoir containing same replaced.

In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, electronic communication means may be included to facilitate the transmission of data collected by the invention either periodically or in real time. This electronic communication means may be integrated with the housing or with one of the units therein and will be communicative with the operating means.

This also provides the functionality for a user to send instructions to the invention to take one or more samples in response to an external event. As noted previously, the operating means may be programmed to collect and measure samples on a regular basis. However, the user may be interested in how external events, such as particularly adverse weather, may affect measurements. Depending on the frequency of the regular measurements, instructions may need to be sent to complete a one-off sample immediately following the external event.

There is even scope for the invention to interact with, and be responsive to, weather station data. This may affect sampling frequency, depending on the requirements of the user.

In exemplary embodiments, the invention includes a power source. This may be in the form of a battery or alternatively, a power lead that is connected to an external power source such as a building or generator. In other embodiments, the power source may be a solar panel.

In use, the housing is located in the area where measurement of the chemicals of interest is desired. It may be located in, or proximate to, a water way or substrate depending on the sampler. Once located and provided with a power (either internal or external), the invention can be left in situ. Periodically, samples may be collected and prepared for analysis.

When the supply of reagent within the sample preparation unit has been exhausted, it can be replaced. This may be able to be achieved without removing the housing from where it has been replaced, keeping disturbance of the invention to a minimum.

The invention provides one or more of the following advantages: • suitable for use with most types of substrates and water bodies; • provides in situ detection of presence or absence of chemicals of interest; • can be configured to detect the presence or absence of more than one chemical of interest at the same time; • provides a particularly sensitive means for testing for the presence or absence of chemicals of interest; • at the very least, the present invention provides the public with a useful choice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view schematic of one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a top schematic view of the sample preparation unit;

Figure 3 is a detail schematic of the sample preparation unit and analysis unit of the embodiment of Figure 1, and

Figure 4 is a top cross-sectional schematic view of the analysis unit.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The invention is an apparatus, generally indicated by arrow 100 in Figure 100, for investigating the properties of a substrate or water body of interest and in particular, the presence or absence of chemicals.

In the schematic of the illustrated embodiment, the apparatus (100) includes a sample collector (102) which is linked to a sample preparation unit (104A) and an analysis unit (106). The apparatus is contained within a housing (not shown) which is configured to accept multiple sample preparation units (104A, 104B) as shown with two side-by-side. This allows for the possibility of the identification of the presence or absence of several chemicals that may be of interest, each chemical requiring a different reagent, stored in vessels (108) to allow its presence in a collected sample to be detected. These vessels are linked to the sample preparation unit (104B) not linked to the sample collector.

The apparatus (100) is configured such that it has four tiers; the first is the sample collector (102) level positioned at the top of the apparatus. This is linked to at least one of the sample preparation units (104A) which themselves are formed as two layers; a control system for metering the reagent (104a) and a reservoir layer (104b). The analysis unit, linked to the first (104A) and second sample preparation units (104B) and thus respectively receiving the collected sample and reagent to be mixed with the collected sample is the third tier (106) and an anchor tier (110) is positioned at the base of the apparatus, together with a waste chamber (112) to hold the sample once it has been analysed.

The apparatus (100) also includes a power source in the form of a battery (114). This backed up by a solar panel (116). A telemetry mast (118) is also included to allow the measured data obtained by the analysis unit (106) to be remotely and wirelessly transmitted to a computer terminal or to the "Cloud".

The entire operation of the various components of the apparatus is controlled by the Central Processor Unit (CPU).

It will be appreciated that as only a single analysis unit (106) is provided, the internal architecture of the housing (not shown) has to be configured to receive samples and reagent from multiple sample preparation units.

An advantage of the invention is its modularity. This can be seen in Figure 2, which shows a top view of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus (200) provided with a plurality of sample preparation units (200a to 200d).

It will be seen that there are in fact four sample preparation units (200a to 200d) formed as segments, arranged around a central column (202). This makes it relatively easy to replace one or more of the segments, while the apparatus (200) remains in situ.

The circles of each segment (referring to the segment identified by 200b for sake of clarity) are representative of the conduit (204) through which the collected sample and/or reagent is introduced to the reservoir; the top of the stem (206) bearing the valves (not shown) of the reservoir conduit; and the top of the plunger (208) of the metering unit (not shown) that meters the collected sample and/or reagent.

Turning now to Figure 3, this is a detailed schematic depicting the interior of one embodiment of the invention (300) including a sample preparation unit (302), two of which are shown side-by-side, together with the analysis unit (304). In the illustrated example, the sample preparation unit on the left (A) deals with the reagent; the one on the right (B) deals with the collected samples. The sample collector itself is not shown for sake of clarity.

It will be seen that that the sample preparation unit (302) includes two layers (302a, 302b). Each layer of the sample preparation unit is modular and thus can be removed and replaced if necessary for maintenance and repair.

This detailed discussion is focused on the sample preparation unit (B) that deals with the collected sample. The principles of operation are the same for the sample preparation unit (A) that deals with the reagent.

The first layer (302a), which shall be referred to as the metering layer, of the sample preparation unit (302) includes a metering unit (304) which, as part of the sample preparation process, meters the collected sample (in sample preparation unit A, it would meter the amount of reagent that needs to be introduced to the collected sample to allow analysis to be completed).

The metering unit (304) includes a chamber (306), a conduit (308) between the chamber and the reservoir (310) of the second layer (302b), which shall now be referred to as the reservoir layer. It also includes a plunger (312) to withdraw the contents of the reservoir into the chamber.

It will be seen that passing through the metering layer (302a) is a conduit (314) extending to the reservoir (310). The collected sample enters the reservoir via this conduit which is linked to the sample collector (not shown) or, in the case of sample preparation unit A, the vessel for the reagent (not shown). The inlet (316) into the reservoir is governed through a gate valve (not shown). In some embodiments, not illustrated here, the sample collector and vessel may have separate conduits and inlets into the same reservoir.

The reservoir (310) itself is divided into two chambers (310a, 310b) through the use of upper and lower valves (318a, 318b respectively) secured to a valve stem (320) , the valve stem extending into the metering layer (302a). The valve stem is operable via a motor (not shown) to move the valves up and down through the reservoir.

The valves (318) effectively have two positions; the first is shown, and it will be seen that the inlet (316) is communicative with the first chamber (310a). Thus the collected sample is delivered into this chamber; it cannot move into the second chamber (310b) due the sealing of the lower valve (318b) with the second chamber.

The volume of the collected sample needs to be determined; this involves the valve stem (320) being actuated to move the upper (318a) and lower valves (318b) down through the reservoir. Although not shown, it will be seen that this means that the first chamber (310a) is now in a position where it is communicative with the conduit (308) of the metering unit (304).

This conduit (308) is governed by a gate valve (not shown) but when this is opened, and the plunger (312) of the metering unit (304) activated, a vacuum is created withdrawing the collected sample within the first chamber into the chamber (306) of the metering unit.

The reservoir (310) is linked to the measurement chamber (322) of the analysis unit (304) via an outlet (324) and conduit (326). Once the volume of the collected sample (or the reagent as the case may be) of the chamber (306) of the metering unit (304) has been determined, it may be discharged into the measurement chamber upon opening of the outlet.

When the measurement chamber (322) contains both the collected sample and reagent it can be mixed using an agitator or the like (not shown). Then the mixed sample can be measured using light emitting diodes (LED - 328) to pass light through the chamber, and its contents, where its colour may be assessed with a measurement diode (330). This, if the wavelength of the light and thus the colour of the mixed sample, is what is being analysed for chemicals of interest. However, if light intensity is being analysed, this does not require an LED. Instead, the measurement diode measures the light intensity instead. The light intensity depends on the bioluminescence of the mixed sample, the reagent triggering this in the sample if it reacts with the chemical of interest.

The apparatus (300) also includes an anchor unit (332) which anchors it in the substrate (not shown). This includes a drain valve (334) which is operated by a stepper motor (336). This valve would normally seal the bottom of the measurement chamber (322). However, when the analysis of the mixed sample is completed, the stepper motor operates to displace the valve and allow the contents of the measurement chamber to be discharged.

Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional top view of an analysis unit (400) with its measurement chamber (402) and two pairs of blocks (404a, 404b, 406a, 406b). Each pair contains a LED and a measurement diode; this provides the opportunity for redundancy in the event of one of these failing as well as a measure of quality control, being able to confirm an initial measurement of the mixed sample with a supplementary measurement from another block.

The first pair face (404a, 404b) each other across the width (W) while the second pair (406a, 406b) length (L) and of the measurement chamber. This is useful in that it is possible that in some instances, the turbidity of the sample is prohibitive to the LED obtaining a measurement from the length dimension of the chamber. However, it may be possible to obtain a measurement from the width dimension of the chamber because the measurement diode is physically closer to the LED.

At the centre of the measurement chamber (402) is the drain (408), which allows the sample to be drained to the waste chamber (not shown) when the measurements have been completed.

The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications cited above and below, if any, are herein incorporated by reference.

Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour in any country in the world.

The invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features.

Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having known equivalents thereof, those integers are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be included within the present invention.

The invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (45)

1. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

   1. A sample preparation unit for use in an apparatus for investigating one or more properties of a substrate and/or a water body, wherein the sample preparation unit includes: a metering unit; and a reservoir for a reagent and/or a collected sample, wherein the reservoir includes: an inlet for a collected sample and/or reagent; a first valve defining a first chamber to receive the reagent and/or the collected sample, wherein the valve is operable to transfer the reagent and/or collected sample from the reservoir to the metering unit back to the reservoir, and wherein the reservoir includes an outlet to an analysis unit.
2. 2. The sample preparation unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first valve is fixed to a control stem passing through the reservoir.
3. 3. The sample preparation unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control stem is operable via a stepper motor to move the first valve through the reservoir.
4. 4. The sample preparation unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the inlet for the collected sample is arranged such that when the first valve is moved to a first position, the first chamber receives the collected sample and/or reagent.
5. 5. The sample preparation unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the conduit to the metering unit is arranged such that when the first valve is moved to a second position, the chamber is communicative with the metering unit.
6. 6. The sample preparation unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the reservoir includes a second valve defining a second chamber.
7. 7. The sample preparation unit as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second valve is fixed to the control stem.
8. 8. The sample preparation unit as claimed in claim 7, wherein the inlet for the collected sample is arranged such that when the first valve and the second valve is in a first position, the first chamber receives the collected sample or reagent and the second chamber is communicative with the metering unit.
9. 9. The sample preparation unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inlet of the reservoir is controlled by a valve.
10. 10. The sample preparation unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the outlet of the reservoir is controlled by a valve.
11. 11. The sample preparation unit as claimed any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first valve is in the form of a flat circular disc.
12. 12. The sample preparation unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the unit includes a means for transferring the collected sample and/or reagent to/from the reservoir, metering unit and/or analysis unit.
13. 13. The sample preparation unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reservoir includes a means to mix the collected sample and reagent.
14. 14. An apparatus for investigating one or more properties of a substrate and/or a water body, wherein the apparatus includes: a sample collector for collecting a sample from the substrate or water body being investigated; an analysis unit; and the sample preparation unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13.
15. 15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the apparatus includes an operating means.
16. 16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the operating means is a computer, central processing unit or a programmable logic controller.
17. 17. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the apparatus includes a housing.
18. 18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the housing is dimensioned to receive a plurality of sample preparation units.
19. 19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the sample preparation units are modular.
20. 20. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein the apparatus includes means for transmitting data collected by the analysis unit.
21. 21. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 20, wherein the apparatus includes means for receiving data sent by a remote computer, central processing unit or a programmable logic controller.
22. 22. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 21, wherein the apparatus includes a power source in the form of a battery, solar panel or power lead to an external power source.
23. 23. A method of using the apparatus for investigating one or more properties of substrate and/or a water body as claimed in any one of claims 14 to 22, wherein the method includes the steps of: a) collecting a sample from the substrate or water body; b) transferring the sample to the chamber of the reservoir via an inlet; c) measuring the volume of the sample by transferring it to the metering unit; and d) transferring the sample to the analysis unit via the outlet.
24. 24. A method of using the apparatus for investigating one or more properties of substrate and/or a water body as claimed any one of claims 14 to 22, wherein the method includes the steps of: a) transferring a reagent to the chamber of the reservoir via an inlet; b) measuring the volume of the reagent by transferring it to the metering unit; and c) transferring the reagent to the analysis unit via the outlet.
25. 25. The method as claimed in either claim 23 or 24, wherein the one or more properties of interest is the presence or absence of chemicals.
26. 26. The method as claimed in either claim 23 or 24, wherein the one or more properties of interest is the presence or absence of nutrients in soil.
27. 27. An apparatus for investigating one or more properties of a substrate and/or a water body, wherein the apparatus includes: a sample collector for collecting a sample from the substrate or water body being investigated; a sample preparation unit; and an analysis unit; characterised in that the sample preparation unit includes a reservoir for a reagent and a collected sample, wherein the reservoir includes an outlet to the analysis unit, wherein the analysis unit includes a measurement chamber, wherein the measurement chamber includes light detection means.
28. 28. The apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein the light detection means is a light sensor.
29. 29. The apparatus as claimed in either claim 27 or claim 28, wherein the analysis unit includes a light emitting means arranged to emit light through the measurement chamber.
30. 30. The apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein the light emitting means is a light emitting diode.
31. 31. The apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein the light emitting means is arranged in a pair with the light detection means.
32. 32. The apparatus as claimed in claim 29, wherein the measurement chamber includes a plurality of pairs of light emitting means and light detection means.
33. 33. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 32, wherein the measurement chamber includes an outlet.
34. 34. The apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 33, wherein the analysis unit includes a reservoir for a cleaning agent, the reservoir communicative with the measurement chamber.
35. 35. A method of using the apparatus for investigating one or more properties of substrate and/or a water body as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 34, wherein the method includes the steps of: a) collecting a sample from the substrate or water body; b) mixing the sample with a reagent; characterised by the additional step of: c) measuring one or more of the light properties of the sample, wherein the light properties of the sample is affected by the presence or absence of a particular chemical of interest.
36. 36. The method of claim 35, wherein the reagent is a liquid that when mixed with the collected sample affects its light properties.
37. 37. The method of claim 36, wherein the light properties are the luminosity and/or colour wavelength of the collected sample.
38. 38. The method of claim 36, wherein the reagent includes one or more chemicals that affect the colour wavelength of the collected sample.
39. 39. The method of claim 36, wherein the reagent includes chemicals that activate bioluminescent organisms that may be present in the collected sample.
40. 40. The method of claim 36, wherein the reagent includes bioluminescent organisms that affect the luminosity of the collected sample.
41. 41. A system for investigating one or more properties of substrate and/or a water body, wherein the system includes: a sample collector for collecting a sample from the substrate or water body being investigated; an analysis unit including a measurement chamber, wherein the measurement chamber includes light detection means; a sample preparation unit including a reservoir for a reagent and a collected sample, wherein the reservoir includes an outlet to the measurement chamber of the analysis unit; at least one processor-readable medium storing processor-readable instructions; and a processor coupled to the at least one processor-readable medium, the processor being operable execute the instructions to: a) activate the sample collector to collect a sample from the substrate or water body; b) mixing the sample with a reagent; c) measuring one or more of the light properties of the sample, wherein the light properties of the sample is affected by the presence or absence of a particular chemical of interest.
42. 42. A sample preparation unit for use in an apparatus for investigating one or more properties of a substrate and/or a water body substantially as herein described and with reference to the figures.
43. 43. An apparatus for investigating one or more properties of a substrate and/or a water body substantially as herein described and with reference to the figures.
44. 44. A system for investigating one or more properties of substrate and/or a water body substantially as herein described and with reference to the figures.
45. 45. A method of using an apparatus for investigating one or more properties of substrate and/or a water body substantially as herein described and with reference to the figures.